Royal Birkdale 1969With one match remaining, the scores were tied 15½-15½, meaning the result hinged on the last hole of Jack Nicklaus’s game with Tony Jacklin. Nicklaus holed a five-foot putt that left Jacklin a two-footer for a half and a share of the Cup.

In one of sport’s most gentlemanly gestures, Nicklaus picked up the Englishman’s marker and agreed a half. “I don’t think you would have missed that putt, Tony,” the American said. “But, in the circumstances, I wasn’t going to give you the opportunity.”

The Belfry 1985 It had been 26 years since the United States failed to win a Ryder Cup, but Europe ended that record in emphatic fashion in the West Midlands.

The decisive blow was struck by Sam Torrance, who went into the final hole of his singles match against Andy North all square. Some fine approach work meant Torrance had two putts with which to seal Europe’s victory but he just needed one — a beautiful 18-footer that prompted tearful celebrations from the usually stoic Scot.

Brookline 1999 The most infamous celebration in Ryder Cup history overshadowed a quite brilliant shot from America’s Justin Leonard to seal victory over José María Olazábal. Leonard — who had trailed the Spaniard by four at the turn only to fight back to all-square — holed a monstrous putt from 40 feet, prompting America’s team to invade the green in celebration.

That infuriated Olazabal, who still had the chance to halve the hole and take the game to the 18th. After the green was cleared, he missed.

Celtic Manor 2010 Europe had seemed certain of another home triumph after establishing a 9½-6½ lead going into the singles matches, which were held over to a fourth day following torrential downpours in Wales, but a United States fightback left the scores level at 13½-13½ with one match still to be decided.